Improvements to EJ Russell Elementary School and Crispell Middle School in the Pine Bush Central School District will not be completed prior to the commencement of the 2022-2023 school year according to district officials. At EJR, improvements to the entrance are not yet completed and playground equipment and fields will not be ready for use when the doors open on the first day of school.

Pine Bush Central School District’s Assistant Superintendent for Business Joseph Lenz explained, “The entrances there, as well as in the middle school will not be ready and that was a known fact in that they will not be honestly completed until about December. They are relocating the buzz in entry for the alternative locations. You know, making sure we do still have a secure building, as well as I’m working with the principal on buying some alternative outdoor items just so that there’s other items for recess and whatnot due to the lack of equipment. We do actually have a meeting and walkthrough set up with the principal as well to look at that new equipment.”

With respect to alternate entrances for Crispell Middle School and EJR pick up and drop off traffic flow patterns and routes were discussed by the Board. In addition, notifying school staff and families was a priority for all.

“We’ve been working very closely with our partners in construction and with Joe, myself, and looping the principals in to have walkthroughs which they’ve all completed, so that they can build their entry and exit plans ahead of time to communicate with parents. Now they’re not optimal, but they will get us through until December when we will have a more secure school. It’s not going to be the most convenient, but it’s going to be doable. So I think plans will be communicated very soon,” explained Superintendent Brian Dunn.